HRC62 - EU Statement - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

62^nd session

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

25 June 2026

EU statement

Thank you Mr President,

The EU thanks the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of her report. 

With nearly 83 million persons internally displaced worldwide, the gap between the protections guaranteed under international law and the reality on the ground continues to grow. We share your concern that serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law—including unlawful displacement, attacks on civilians and the denial of essential relief—are driving repeated and protracted displacement.

All parties to armed conflict must comply with international humanitarian law and international human rights law. Non-derogable rights, such as the right to life, the prohibition of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the prohibition of slavery and the right to recognition as a person before the law, must be upheld in all cases, including situations of emergency. Civilians and civilian objects must be protected, humanitarian personnel respected, and rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access ensured. Violations must be independently investigated and those responsible held accountable.

The EU strongly supports a human rights-based approach to internal displacement. The EU and its Member States also remain the largest providers of global humanitarian funding. EU assistance supports displaced persons and host communities through protection, basic services, legal documentation, prevention of sexual and gender-based violence and mine action. We also promote durable solutions across the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, guided by the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, the Secretary-General’s Action Agenda on Internal Displacement, and meaningful participation of IDPs. We urge states to fully implement these Guiding Principles and the Action Agenda. 

Madam Special Rapporteur, how can States promote durable solutions for IDPs and ensure that returns are genuinely voluntary, safe and sustainable, particularly where homes, essential infrastructure and property records have been destroyed?

I thank you.